Hydraulic hose construction and performance is covered by various national and international standards including ISO, BSI, SAE, DIN, API and CETOP. Most proprietary hoses conform to one standard or another, the SAE standards being the most widely followed. SAE standards provides general, dimensional and performance specifications for the most common hoses used in hydraulic systems on mobile and stationary equipment.

SAE is based on construction technique and material of hydraulic hose. The various application parameters required when selecting hose are size, temperature, fluid type and pressure, to name a few. Depending on these criteria, the choice of hose construction will change to suit the conditions. The majority of hydraulic machines are not exotic, and typically your standard 100R1 or 100R2 ("1-wire" and "2-wire" respectively) hoses are appropriate. When extreme pressures and exotic fluids come into play, however, the options for suitable hose are reduced.

Each of the hydraulic hose styles below must meet a set of dimensional and performance characteristics as set forth by SAE, and they are designated as 100R1 through 100R19. However, SAE issues no approval source lists, certification, or letters of approval-conformance to these standards by manufacturers is strictly voluntary. In short, the standards only assure a similarity of products among different manufacturers.

Raise your expectations and think beyond SAE standards

When comparing hose manufacturers, you need to consider products that exceed the SAE minimum performance but also meet or exceed additional certifications such as ISO to maximize performance, hose life, and production costs. Parker Hose Products Division has a full line of hydraulic hoses designed for one-half SAE bend radius at full SAE pressure, which exceeds the minimum bend radius. For example, the bend radius of Parker’s 797 hydraulic hose is half of SAE’s 100R1, 100R2, 100R4, 100R12 and 100R13 minimum requirement, which reduces hose length requirements by up to 47%. The tighter bend radius means fewer bent tube fittings and longer life in applications where machinery movement causes hoses to bend sharply. It also means reduced inventory requirements. Another example of exceeding SAE standards is Parker’s 787 hose that has nearly 30% smaller O.D. by area than SAE spiral. The compact design reduces the weight of the hose as well as footprint.